China is opposed to the Security Council discussing the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The Charter of the United Nations stipulates explicitly that the primary responsibility of the Security Council is the maintenance of international peace and security. The Security Council is not a forum for discussing human rights issues, still less for the politicization of such issues. Given the current context, in which international peace and security are facing a plethora of dire challenges, the Council should strictly abide by its responsibility and focus on issues related to international peace and security with undivided attention.

China consistently stands for the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and insists that it be kept peaceful and stable and that solutions be sought through dialogue and consultation. We shall not allow the peninsula to be torn asunder or riven with turmoil in any circumstances. Our position is in line with the common interests of the international community and all parties, and should be the common goal of everyone’s efforts.

The discussion of the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is contrary and detrimental to that goal and of no benefit whatsoever. The current situation in the peninsula is complex, sensitive and dire. China hopes that Council members and other parties concerned will focus on the big picture, meet each other half way, do more to ease tensions on the peninsula, and avoid any rhetoric or action that could provoke or escalate tensions.

The top priority for the moment is to resume dialogue and negotiations among the parties as soon as possible, reopen the Six-Party Talks, jointly safeguard the process of denuclearizing the peninsula and make a genuine effort to ensure stability and peace on the peninsula. China will push for dialogue and consultation so as to resolve the relevant issues on the peninsula within the framework of the Six-Party Talks, in order to make a positive and constructive contribution to stability and peace on the peninsula at an early date.